Images of the Past, Present and Future of Russia: Symbolic Dimension

The article presents the results of an empirical study conducted in 2022 and devoted to the study of the symbolic images of the past, present and future of Russia, formed in the mass consciousness of the Russians. In their study, the authors rely on a political and psychological approach, use the method of individual focused interviews in combination with projective techniques. For a more detailed analysis of the symbolic content of the image of the country, the drawing method “Russia in the form of a non-existent animal†was used when collecting data. The study made it possible to test the conceptual model proposed by the authors and prove its research potential. As the result of data analysis, several important perceptual tendencies were identified and expressed in symbolic representations. The authors establish mythologization of perception and hypersensitivity of modern perception to the changes in the foreign policy context that are covered through the media, as well as the increasing importance of the parameter of strength in the image of Russia. Significant incongruity, imbalance of the image of the country with respect to the spatial and temporal components, and the components of the people and the state were revealed. The study showed that even with symbolic poverty the images of the present, past and future are closely intertwined. The data demonstrate a growing trend of retro-oriented perception of the present and blurring of images of the future.